Plant Profile: St. John's Wort

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St. John’s Wort

(Hypericum perforatum)








Parts Used: Buds are preferred but flowers and leaves can be used too. 
Key Components: Hypericin, hyperforin, psuedohypericin, procyanidins, tannins, flavonoids. 
Energetics: Neutral temp. Drying. 
Taste: slightly bitter. Pungent. Sweet. 
Systems affected: Liver, nervous system 
Preparations: infusion, tincture, infused oil.




Actions:

 Foundational: Astringent. Relaxant. 
Primary: Nervous system trophorestorative. Vulnerary. Alterative. Nervine. Diuretic (Large amounts of tea or tincture). Hepatic. Vulnerary.
Secondary: Anti-bacterial. Anti-viral. Modulates inflammation. 

 Uses: 
Traditionally used as anti-inflammatory specifically to nerve endings for those experiencing ghost pains after amputation. Trophorestorative (restores and regenerates tone and health to nerves). Used internally or as oil for herpes strain viruses (chicken pox, shingles, cold sores). Can be used as a preventative to decrease outbreaks a person experiences or at the first sign to shorten the duration & severity. Herbalist Jim McDonald says that St. John's Wort is probably the ideal herb to address attendant nerve pain, and muscle spasms. NERVE PAIN Apply oil for burns. Used internally, supports increased serotonin levels in the brain and aids in the binding of serotonin with serotonin receptors in the gut. Depression associated with stagnation in the liver or digestive system or energetically with persons with real or imagined oppression. Chronic fatigue. Take during colder months for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Works best when depressive symptoms are situational. Takes about 2-6 weeks to see results for depression. Take for 2-3 weeks then off for a week. Foot bath followed by massage with a pain salve/lotion or oil for diabetic neuropathy or fibromyalgia.(possible recipe: cannabis, St. John’s Wort & Arnica Oils). Affinity to the liver. Helps to clear toxins. Because of its ability to improve liver function its useful for a variety of complaints related to estrogen excess from PMS to PCOS. Increases liver metabolism & supports its natural and healthy function. Because of this, its useful for a variety of complaints related to estrogen excess from PMS to PCOS. Children experiencing bedwetting. Infused oil for healing of wounds & reduction of scars. helpful for putrid & pus filled wounds that are difficult to heal (ex: bedsores). Apply to new bruises and sprains as well as sunburns. Relieves pain AND promotes tissue repair & speeds recovery. Applied topically has an SPF of about 5. Mild diuretic can be used in minor bladder infections & when having difficulty urinating. 
FLOWER ESSENCE: To be reminded of the light & to hold it in our bodies. Flower essence is safe for people o pharmaceutical medications unlike tincture or using oil internally.
Growing: Perennial. Thrives in zones 3-9. Prefers somewhat dry soil with a ph of 6-7. Blooms from June-August. 
Harvesting: IF you have an abundance only harvest the buds. If supply is limited harvest buds and flower (possibly also upper leaves)
Preparing: Oil infusions: Fresh plant is preferred using solar method. Make sure all plant parts are below the oil! As a mild sunscreen infuse in sunflower oil. for all other uses use EVOO. 
Tincture: Fresh plant is preferred. 1:2 ratio 75% or higher alcohol; Infusion (tea): Dried plant works very well. 
Dosage: Tea or powder from recently dried herb: 6-9g per day Tincture: 2-5ml per day/1 dropperful. (20-30 drops 3x per day). Oil: Apply as needed For any preparation you’ll know how good it is by how red it is. Pinkish preparations are no good. The deeper the red the better. 

 Contraindications: Do not use internally for diabetics or anyone on ANY hormonal medications (IVF, birth control, insulin, thyroid meds), immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, anti-anginals, anxiolytics, anti-depressants, antivirals, statins, anti-cancer drugs such as chemo, beta-adrenergic blockers, hypoglycemics, anti ulcer agents, anti-fungals, anticonvulsants, skeletal muscle relaxants, antihistamines, oral oxycodone DO NOT USE INTERNALLY because it increases processing speed of cyp450 receptors in liver. Taken internally is phytotoxic in about 10% of people (fair skinned?). I wouldn’t recommend taken internally in pregnancy.

Sources:

Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: Rosemary Gladstar. Pg 197-202
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 197


Studies:


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